walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Time for the Easy Option - Ben Vorlich

Time for the Easy Option - Ben Vorlich


Postby andygunn23 » Mon Dec 17, 2018 8:49 pm

Route description: Ben Vorlich via Loch Sloy

Munros included on this walk: Ben Vorlich (Loch Lomond)

Date walked: 23/09/2018

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 14.3 km

Ascent: 1071m

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Time for the Easy Option - Ben Vorlich

After a somewhat physically testing long weekend in the Cairngorms (A Mammoth Three Day Cairngorm Adventure) I was well due a rest weekend – I guess one hill counts as a rest weekend, right?

Truth be told it wasn’t always planned as a one hill weekend but in the end, I am glad it was. Callum, Connor, Emma and I had originally set off with the plan to do Ben Vorlich and if all going well, we would also include Ben Vane.

Callum collected me from Stirling and we waited slighter longer at Inveruglas than planned for Connor and Emma to arrive thanks to some car issues. By the time we eventually did head off we were always fighting a losing battle to have enough comfortable daylight, but we make quick progress up the well improved path.

I say “well improved” because Ben Vorlich is one of only a few Munros I had been up in the years that precede my active attempt to do them all - I wasn’t trying the first time so it never counted (the internet isn’t the best for sarcasm so just for clarity that’s a joke).

Anyway, there isn’t a huge amount that can be said about the route up Ben Vorlich other than it is a well-defined path with tremendous views all around, so I will let the photos do the talking to the top.

Route up – Loch Sloy Dam
Image

Towards A' Chrois (left) Ben Vane (right)
Image

Loch Lomond (& zoomed)
Image

Image

Top in sight
Image

Views at the top
Image

Once we were at the top there were a few mixed feelings amongst us as to whether Ben Vane was as easy as it looked. It didn’t look easy for the record. We decided the most “sensible” solution would be to take the most direct route off Ben Vorlich down towards the dam and then we would have the option to tackle Ben Vane.

Straight down from here
Image

Lunch stop
Image

As we stopped and ate lunch just before the dam my legs were beginning to struggle. I thought I had fully recovered from our Braemar to Aviemore adventure but that was probably only wishful thinking, my feet and knees were both showing signs of tiredness.

We agreed that we just couldn’t be bothered with Ben Vane – a decision I was glad of. This meant we could spend a little longer relaxing in the sun and eating lunch at a leisurely pace (rather than my traditional, wolf down a sandwich to save some time).

Still I fancied a walk across the dam!
Image

Image

Image

Light at the end of the tunnel
Image

Dam
Image

After crossing and exploring a bit of the dam we re-joined the main path and headed back to the car in plenty of time before dark. All in all, it was a good easy day out, maybe not as difficult as I typically seem to make my outings, but the views were rewarding and beats sitting inside.

Spoiler alert – the next Munro I ventured out after Ben Vorlich, did by complete chance happen to be Ben Vane, so I guess I did do them together, just with weeks in between!

It is also safe to say Ben Vorlich; with its easy access and splendid views is most definitely one I will do time and time again.

Thanks for reading
Andy


our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

User avatar
andygunn23
 
Posts: 126
Munros:250   Corbetts:5
Fionas:1   
Islands:12
Joined: Jul 30, 2015
Location: Aberdeen

3 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Billywiz, BTHughes03, Findo Gask, jpoldy, shaun4444d, Wickermanny and 40 guests